U.S. patent application number 14/654020 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-05 for cutting method and cutting apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Kazumi SAITO.
Application Number | 20150314380 14/654020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50977839 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150314380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAITO; Kazumi |
November 5, 2015 |
CUTTING METHOD AND CUTTING APPARATUS
Abstract
Provided is a technique capable of accurately cutting steel
sheets of various shapes into desired shapes. A cutting method is a
method for cutting a steel sheet by using a nibbler having a
cylindrical case, a punch housed inside the case, and a die
provided below the case, the nibbler making the punch continuously
punch the steel sheet while moving. The cutting method includes:
providing a guide member in the vicinity of the die of the nibbler
located at a cutting position along a moving path of the nibbler,
the guide member having a first guide surface for restricting
movement of the nibbler from the cutting position to a first side
of a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction and a
top-bottom direction of the nibbler by contact with a side surface
of the die; and moving the nibbler along the guide member.
Inventors: |
SAITO; Kazumi; (Okazaki-shi,
Aichi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Toyota-shi, Aichi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi, Aichi
JP
|
Family ID: |
50977839 |
Appl. No.: |
14/654020 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
December 20, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/083145 |
371 Date: |
June 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
83/34 ;
83/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23D 27/00 20130101;
Y10T 83/8742 20150401; B26D 5/02 20130101; Y10T 83/05 20150401 |
International
Class: |
B23D 27/00 20060101
B23D027/00; B26D 5/02 20060101 B26D005/02 |
Claims
1. A cutting method for cutting a steel sheet by using a nibbler
having a cylindrical case, a punch housed inside the case, which
reciprocates in a top-bottom direction, and a die provided below
the case, the nibbler making the punch continuously punch the steel
sheet fed between the case and the die while moving, the cutting
method comprising: providing a guide member in the vicinity of the
die of the nibbler located at a cutting position along a moving
path of the nibbler, the guide member having a first guide surface
for restricting movement of the nibbler from the cutting position
to a first side of a direction perpendicular to a traveling
direction of the nibbler and the top-bottom direction by contact
with a side surface of the die of the nibbler located at the
cutting position; and moving the nibbler along the guide
member.
2. The cutting method according to claim 1, wherein the guide
member further has a second guide surface for restricting downward
movement of the nibbler from the cutting position by contact with a
lower surface of the die of the nibbler located at the cutting
position.
3. The cutting method according to claim 1, wherein the guide
member further has a third guide surface arranged on a side
opposite to the first guide surface with respect to the die, for
restricting movement of the nibbler from the cutting position to a
second side of the direction perpendicular to the traveling
direction of the nibbler and the top-bottom direction by contact
with a side surface of the die of the nibbler located at the
cutting position.
4. The cutting method according to claim 1, wherein the guide
member comes in contact with a lower surface of a removed part that
is an unnecessary part of the steel sheet to support the removed
part from below.
5. The cutting method according to claim 4, wherein a part of the
guide member, which is come in contact with the removed part of the
steel sheet is made of a buffer material.
6. The cutting method according to claim 1, further comprising:
mounting the nibbler on a robot having an arm capable of changing a
position and a posture of the arm; and controlling the robot to
move the nibbler along the guide member.
7. A cutting apparatus for cutting a steel sheet, comprising: at
least one robot having an arm capable of changing a position and a
posture of the arm; a nibbler that has a cylindrical case, a punch
housed inside the case, which reciprocates in a top-bottom
direction to punch the steel sheet, and a die provided below the
case, and that is mounted on a tip of the arm of the robot; a guide
member provided in the vicinity the die of the nibbler located at a
cutting position along a moving path of the nibbler; and a
controller that controls the robot to move the nibbler along the
guide member, wherein the guide member has a first guide surface
for restricting movement of the nibbler from the cutting position
to a first side of a direction perpendicular to a traveling
direction of the nibbler and the top-bottom direction by contact
with a side surface of the die of the nibbler located at the
cutting position.
8. The cutting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the guide
member further has a second guide surface for restricting downward
movement of the nibbler from the cutting position by contact with a
lower surface of the die of the nibbler located at the cutting
position.
9. The cutting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the guide
member further has a third guide surface arranged on a side
opposite to the first guide surface with respect to the die, for
restricting movement of the nibbler from the cutting position to a
second side of the direction perpendicular to the traveling
direction of the nibbler and the top-bottom direction by contact
with a side surface of the die of the nibbler located at the
cutting position.
10. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide
member comes in contact with a lower surface of a removed part that
is an unnecessary part of the steel sheet to support the removed
part from below.
11. The cutting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a part of
the guide member, which is come in contact with the removed part of
the steel sheet is made of a buffer material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus and a
cutting method for cutting a steel sheet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, a nibbler is widely known as a device for
cutting a steel sheet.
[0003] Generally, the nibbler includes a cylindrical case, a punch
arranged in the case, and a die arranged below the case. The
nibbler makes the punch continuously punch a steel sheet fed
between the case and the die while moving, thereby cutting the
steel sheet.
[0004] JP 9-234622 A discloses a nibbler configured to be grasped
and moved by an operator to cut a steel sheet.
[0005] The nibbler described in JP 9-234622 A can move linearly by
sliding a linear guide plate of a cutting jig mounted on the
nibbler on the side edge of the rectangular steel sheet.
[0006] Furthermore, the nibbler described in JP 9-234622 A can move
circularly around a hole formed in a steel sheet by inserting a
center part of the cutting jig mounted on the nibbler into the
hole.
[0007] However, it is disadvantageous in that the nibbler described
in JP 9-234622 A can linearly cut only a steel sheet having a
linear side edge (e.g., a rectangular steel sheet) because the
nibbler cut the steel sheet linearly by utilizing the linear guide
plate of the cutting jig, which slides on the side edge of the
steel sheet.
[0008] Moreover, the nibbler described in JP 9-234622 A can cut the
steel sheet circularly by utilizing the center part of the cutting
jig, which is inserted into the hole formed in the steel sheet, but
has a disadvantage of not cutting the steel sheet in a complicated
curve.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0009] PTL1: JP 9-234622 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a
technique capable of accurately cutting steel sheets of various
shapes into desired shapes.
Solution to Problem
[0011] A first aspect of the invention is a cutting method for
cutting a steel sheet by using a nibbler having a cylindrical case,
a punch housed inside the case, which reciprocates in a top-bottom
direction, and a die provided below the case, the nibbler making
the punch continuously punch the steel sheet fed between the case
and the die while moving, the cutting method including: providing a
guide member in the vicinity of the die of the nibbler located at a
cutting position along a moving path of the nibbler, the guide
member having a first guide surface for restricting movement of the
nibbler from the cutting position to a first side of a direction
perpendicular to a traveling direction of the nibbler and the
top-bottom direction by contact with a side surface of the die of
the nibbler located at the cutting position; and moving the nibbler
along the guide member.
[0012] Preferably, the guide member further has a second guide
surface for restricting downward movement of the nibbler from the
cutting position by contact with a lower surface of the die of the
nibbler located at the cutting position.
[0013] Preferably, the guide member further has a third guide
surface arranged on a side opposite to the first guide surface with
respect to the die, for restricting movement of the nibbler from
the cutting position to a second side of the direction
perpendicular to the traveling direction of the nibbler and the
top-bottom direction by contact with a side surface of the die of
the nibbler located at the cutting position.
[0014] Preferably, the guide member comes in contact with a lower
surface of a removed part that is an unnecessary part of the steel
sheet to support the removed part from below.
[0015] Preferably, a part of the guide member, which is come in
contact with the removed part of the steel sheet is made of a
buffer material.
[0016] Preferably, the above-mentioned method further includes:
mounting the nibbler on a robot having an arm capable of changing a
position and a posture of the arm; and controlling the robot to
move the nibbler along the guide member.
[0017] A second aspect of the invention is a cutting apparatus for
cutting a steel sheet, including: at least one robot having an arm
capable of changing a position and a posture of the arm; a nibbler
that has a cylindrical case, a punch housed inside the case, which
reciprocates in a top-bottom direction to punch the steel sheet,
and a die provided below the case, and that is mounted on a tip of
the arm of the robot; a guide member provided in the vicinity the
die of the nibbler located at a cutting position along a moving
path of the nibbler; and a controller that controls the robot to
move the nibbler along the guide member. The guide member has a
first guide surface for restricting movement of the nibbler from
the cutting position to a first side of a direction perpendicular
to a traveling direction of the nibbler and the top-bottom
direction by contact with a side surface of the die of the nibbler
located at the cutting position.
[0018] Preferably, the guide member further has a second guide
surface for restricting downward movement of the nibbler from the
cutting position by contact with a lower surface of the die of the
nibbler located at the cutting position.
[0019] Preferably, the guide member further has a third guide
surface arranged on a side opposite to the first guide surface with
respect to the die, for restricting movement of the nibbler from
the cutting position to a second side of the direction
perpendicular to the traveling direction of the nibbler and the
top-bottom direction by contact with a side surface of the die of
the nibbler located at the cutting position.
[0020] Preferably, the guide member comes in contact with a lower
surface of a removed part that is an unnecessary part of the steel
sheet to support the removed part from below.
[0021] Preferably, a part of the guide member, which is come in
contact with the removed part of the steel sheet is made of a
buffer material.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0022] The present invention makes it possible to accurately cut
steel sheets of various shapes into desired shapes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a cutting apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a nibbler provided in the cutting apparatus
according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG.
2A is a sectional side view, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken
along line A-A in FIG. 2A.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a steel sheet, showing a moving
path of the nibbler.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a guide member.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows the guide member.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the guide member and
another embodiment of the nibbler.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the guide member.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the guide member and
another embodiment of the nibbler.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the guide member.
[0032] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the guide member.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a cutting apparatus 1 as an
embodiment of a cutting apparatus according to the present
invention is described below.
[0034] The cutting apparatus 1 cuts a workpiece W.
[0035] The workpiece W is a steel sheet having a central part
protruding upward, and a flange horizontally extending, which is
formed around the central part.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting apparatus 1 includes a
support stand 10, a lower die 20, a guide member 30, a robot 40, a
nibbler 50, and a controller 60.
[0037] The support stand 10 is a stand that supports the lower die
20 and the guide member 30. On the support stand 10, the lower die
20 and the guide member 30 are fixed.
[0038] The lower die 20 is a member on which the workpiece W is
placed. The lower die 20 is configured to fix the workpiece W. The
lower die 20 supports only the central part of the workpiece W such
that the flange of the workpiece W is located outside the lower die
20.
[0039] The guide member 30 is a member that guides the nibbler 50
such that the nibbler 50 does not deviate from a predetermined
moving path. The guide member 30 is provided along the moving path
of the nibbler 50 so as to surround the lower die 20, and arranged
below the flange of the workpiece W.
[0040] A detailed structure of the guide member 30 will be
described later.
[0041] The robot 40 has an arm with multiple joints. The robot 40
is configured to change a position and a posture of the arm. The
nibbler 50 is mounted on the tip of the arm of the robot 40.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the nibbler 50 is a device that
continuously punches the workpiece W while moving. The nibbler 50
includes a case 51, a punch 52, a supporting part 53, a die body
54, and a driving part 55.
[0043] For convenience, the top-bottom direction in FIG. 2A is
defined as a top-bottom direction of the nibbler 50.
[0044] The case 51 is formed in substantially a cylinder extending
in the top-bottom direction, and has an opened lower end part.
[0045] The punch 52 is housed in the case 51 so as to slide in the
top-bottom direction.
[0046] The supporting part 53 for supporting the case 51 and the
die body 54 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the
case 51.
[0047] The punch 52 reciprocates in the top-bottom direction at a
predetermined frequency to punch the workpiece W. The punch 52 has
a blade 52a and a connecting part 52b.
[0048] The blade 52a has a sectional shape of substantially a
horseshoe, and the lower end thereof is formed as a blade edge for
punching the workpiece W. The blade 52a protrudes downward from the
lower end of the case 51 to enter an after-mentioned die hole 54a
when the punch 52 arrives at the bottom dead center.
[0049] The connecting part 52b is connected to the driving part 55
such that the driving part 55 reciprocates the punch 52 in the
top-bottom direction.
[0050] The supporting part 53 is a member that supports the case 51
and the die body 54. The upper end part of the supporting part 53
is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the case 51, and
the supporting part 53 extends downward from the inside of the case
51. The supporting part 53 has such a shape that an opening
coincident with the sectional shape of the blade 52a is formed on
the lower end surface of the case 51. In other words, a space in
which the punch 52 is housed is formed between the case 51 and a
part of the supporting part 53 inserted into the case 51, and the
opening formed on the lower end surface of the case 51 has the
shape coincident with the sectional shape of the blade 52a.
[0051] The die body 54 is fixed to the lower end part of the
supporting part 53.
[0052] The die body 54 is arranged below the case 51 so as to be on
the opposite side of the case 51 across the workpiece W. The die
body 54 is formed in substantially a cylinder. The die body 54 is
fixed to the supporting part 53 so as to cover the lower end part
of the supporting part 53. The die body 54 has the die hole 54a and
an ejecting hole 54b.
[0053] The die hole 54a is formed such that the blade 52a enters
thereinto when the punch 52 arrives at the bottom dead center.
Specifically, the die hole 54a is formed between the die body 54
and a part of the supporting part 53 inserted into the die body 54.
The die hole 54a has a shape coincident with the sectional shape of
the blade 52a, and opens on the upper end surface of the die body
54.
[0054] The ejecting hole 54b is a hole through which a crescentic
scrap S punched from the workpiece W by the punch 52 is ejected to
the outside of the die body 54. The ejecting hole 54b is formed on
the side surface of the die body 54, and communicates with the die
hole 54a.
[0055] The die body 54, and the part of the supporting part 53
inserted into the die body 54 correspond to a "die" according to
the present invention.
[0056] The driving part 55 reciprocates the punch 52 in the
top-bottom direction at a predetermined frequency. The driving part
55 has a connecting part 55a, a rod 55b, and a motor 55c.
[0057] The connecting part 55a is connected to the connecting part
52b of the punch 52.
[0058] The rod 55b is connected to the motor 55c and the connecting
part 55a so as to transmit power of the motor 55c to the connecting
part 55a.
[0059] The motor 55c transmits the power to the connecting part 55a
through the rod 55b. Revolution of the motor 55c is converted into
vertical movement of the connecting part 55a through the rod
55b.
[0060] As mentioned above, the nibbler 50 makes the punch 52
reciprocate in the top-bottom direction (direction in which punch
52 moves into and out of proximity with the die body 54) while
being moved by the robot 40 with the workpiece W interposed between
the case 51 and the die body 54, thereby continuously punching the
workpiece W.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 60 is electrically
connected to the robot 40 and controls the robot 40. The controller
60 controls the robot 40 such that the nibbler 50 mounted on the
tip of the arm of the robot 40 moves along a preset path.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the
controller 60 controls the robot 40 such that the nibbler 50 moves
over the whole circumference of the flange of the workpiece W to
remove a removed part Wr that is an unnecessary part of the flange
of the workpiece W.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the workpiece W, and the arrow on
the workpiece W shows a moving path of the nibbler 50. In the
present embodiment, the workpiece W is formed in substantially
rectangle in plan view.
[0064] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 5, a structure of the guide
member 30 is hereinafter described in detail.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 30 is arranged in the
vicinity of the die body 54 of the nibbler 50 located at a position
in cutting of the workpiece W (hereinafter referred to as a
"cutting position") on a side closer to the lower die 20 than the
nibbler 50, namely on a side opposite to the removed part Wr of the
workpiece W. The guide member 30 is continuously formed along the
moving path of the nibbler 50 so as to surround the lower die 20
(see FIG. 3).
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide member 30 has a first
guide surface 30a and a second guide surface 30b.
[0067] The first guide surface 30a is formed in the vertical
direction so as to be in contact with a side surface, on a side
close to the lower die 20, of the die body 54 of the nibbler 50
located at the cutting position. The first guide surface 30a is
continuously formed along the moving path of the nibbler 50 so as
to be always in contact with the side surface of the die body 54
when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W.
[0068] The thus formed first guide surface 30a restricts movement
of the die body 54 to a side closer to the lower die 20 than the
first guide surface 30a when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece
W.
[0069] Consequently, the controller 60 controls the robot 40 to
slide the die body 54 on the first guide surface 30a, so that it is
possible to suppress deviation of the nibbler 50 from the moving
path.
[0070] Accordingly, the workpiece W can be accurately cut in a
desired shape regardless of the shape of the workpiece W.
[0071] The second guide surface 30b is horizontally formed so as to
be in contact with the lower surface of the die body 54 of the
nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. The second guide
surface 30b is continuous to the first guide surface 30a, and
extends from the lower end of the first guide surface 30a toward a
side close to the removed part Wr of the workpiece W. The second
guide surface 30b is formed so as to be in contact with a part, on
a side close to the lower die 20, of the lower surface of the die
body 54 of the nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. The
second guide surface 30b is continuously formed along the moving
path of the nibbler 50 so as to be always in contact with the lower
surface of the die body 54 when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece
W.
[0072] The thus formed second guide surface 30b restricts downward
movement of the die body 54 with respect to the second guide
surface 30b when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W.
[0073] Consequently, the controller 60 controls the robot 40 to
slide the die body 54 on the second guide surface 30b, so that it
is possible to hold a position, in the vertical direction to the
workpiece W, of the nibbler 50, and to properly cut the workpiece
W.
[0074] Particularly, even in a case where the flange of the
workpiece W has a shape curved such that the vertical position is
displaced, it is possible to hold the position, in the vertical
direction to the workpiece W, of the nibbler 50, and to properly
cut the workpiece W.
[0075] The second guide surface 30b is formed so as not to be
located below the ejecting hole 54b formed in the die body 54 of
the nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. In other words, the
second guide surface 30b is formed so as to be located between the
first guide surface 30a and the ejecting hole 54b.
[0076] Consequently, the scrap S punched from the workpiece W can
be prevented from being ejected on the second guide surface 30b and
hindering movement of the nibbler 50.
[0077] The thus configured guide member 30 guides the nibbler 50
such that the nibbler 50 does not deviate from the moving path,
when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W. In other words, the
nibbler 50 is moved so as to slide the die body 54 on the first
guide surface 30a and the second guide surface 30b of the guide
member 30, so that the workpiece W can be accurately cut without
deviation of the nibbler 50 from the moving path.
[0078] The guide member 30 is formed with the first guide surface
30a and the second guide surface 30b in the present embodiment, but
may be formed with at least the first guide surface 30a.
[0079] Additionally, there can be provided a guide member formed
with only a first guide surface, and a guide member formed with
only a second guide surface.
[0080] In the present embodiment, the guide member 30 is provided
on the side closer to the lower die 20 than the nibbler 50 located
at the cutting position, and the first guide surface 30a restricts
the movement of the nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the
side close to the lower die 20. However, a guide member configured
in a substantially similar manner to the guide member 30 may be
provided on a side closer to the removed part Wr of the workpiece W
than the nibbler 50 in place of the guide member 30, and a first
guide surface of this guide member may restrict movement of the
nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the side close to the
removed part Wr of the workpiece W. In other words, the first guide
surface of the guide member may restrict movement of the nibbler 50
from the cutting position to one side of a direction perpendicular
to the advancing direction of the nibbler 50 along a horizontal
plane (strictly, a surface of a part, punched by the punch 52 of
the nibbler 50, of the flange of the workpiece W).
[0081] However, the guide member is provided on the side closer to
the lower die 20 than the nibbler 50 located at the cutting
position, so that the guide member is not located below the removed
part Wr of the workpiece W, and the removed part Wr is ejected
without staying on the guide member when being removed from the
workpiece W completely. Therefore, the guide member is preferably
provided on the side closer to the lower die 20 than the nibbler 50
located at the cutting position.
[0082] In the present embodiment, the die body 54 of the nibbler 50
abuts on the first guide surface 30a and the second guide surface
30b formed in the guide member 30, so that the movement of the
nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the side close to the lower
die 20, and the downward movement of the nibbler 50 from the
cutting position are restricted. However, the present invention is
not limited to this configuration.
[0083] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 53a is
provided as a part of the die on the lower end surface of the
supporting part 53 of the nibbler 50, and a guide member 130 is
provided in place of the guide member 30, so that the movement of
the nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the side close to the
lower die 20, and the downward movement of the nibbler 50 from the
cutting position may be restricted.
[0084] The protrusion 53a is formed in a columnar shape having a
smaller outer diameter than the die body 54, and protrudes downward
from the lower end surface of the supporting part 53.
[0085] The guide member 130 is arranged below the flange of the
workpiece W on a side closer to the lower die 20 than the nibbler
50 located at the cutting position. The guide member 130 has a
rectangular sectional shape, and is continuously formed along the
moving path of the nibbler 50 so as to surround the lower die 20.
The guide member 130 is formed such that a side surface, on a side
close to the removed part Wr, of the workpiece W is in contact with
the side surface of the die body 54 of the nibbler 50 located at
the cutting position, and an upper surface is in contact with the
lower surface of the die body 54 of the nibbler 50 located at the
cutting position.
[0086] With such a configuration, the controller 60 controls the
robot 40 to slide the protrusion 53a on the side surface of the
guide member 130, and to slide the die body 54 on the upper surface
of the guide member 130, so that the workpiece W can be accurately
cut without deviation of the nibbler 50 from the moving path. In
other words, the side surface, on the side close to the removed
part Wr of the workpiece W, of the guide member 130 functions as
the first guide surface according to the present invention, and the
upper surface of the guide member 130 functions as the second guide
surface according to the present invention.
[0087] In the present embodiment, the guide member 30 is provided
on the side closer to the lower die 20 than the nibbler 50 located
at the cutting position, and the first guide surface 30a restricts
the movement of the nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the
side close to the lower die 20. However, it is also possible to
restrict both the movement of the nibbler 50 from the cutting
position to the side close to the lower die 20, and the movement of
the nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the side close to the
removed part Wr of the workpiece W.
[0088] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a guide member 31 may be
further provided in addition to the guide member 30.
[0089] The guide member 31 is arranged below the flange of the
workpiece W on a side closer to the removed part Wr of the
workpiece W than the nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. In
other words, the guide member 31 is arranged below the removed part
Wr of the workpiece W. The guide member 31 has a rectangular
sectional shape, and is continuously formed along the moving path
of the nibbler 50. On a side surface, on a side close to the lower
die 20, of the guide member 31, a third guide surface 31a that is
in contact with the side surface of the die body 54 of the nibbler
50 located at the cutting position is formed.
[0090] With such a configuration, the controller 60 controls the
robot 40 to slide the die body 54 on the first guide surface 30a of
the guide member 30 and on the third guide surface 31a of the guide
member 31, so that it is possible to suppress deviation of the
nibbler 50 from the moving path.
[0091] Particularly, the guide member 31 is provided such that the
die body 54 is sandwiched between the guide member 31 and the guide
member 30, and therefore the workpiece W can be cut with extremely
high accuracy. In other words, the first guide surface 30a of the
guide member 30 functions as a first guide surface according to the
present invention, which restricts the movement of the nibbler 50
from the cutting position to the side close to the lower die 20,
and the third guide surface 31a of the guide member 31 functions as
a third guide surface according to the present invention, which
restricts the movement of the nibbler 50 from the cutting position
to the side close to the removed part Wr of the workpiece W.
[0092] A surface similar to the second guide surface 30b of the
guide member 30 can be formed in the guide member 31.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 8, a sphere 53b is provided as a part of
the die on the lower end of the supporting part 53 of the nibbler
50, and a guide member 230 is provided in place of the guide member
30, so that the movement of the nibbler 50 from the cutting
position to the side close to the lower die 20, the movement of the
nibbler 50 from the cutting position to the side close to the
removed part Wr of the workpiece W, and the downward movement of
the nibbler 50 from the cutting position may be restricted.
[0094] The sphere 53b is formed in a spherical shape having the
substantially similar outer diameter to the outer diameter of the
lower end surface of the supporting part 53. The sphere 53b has a
lower part fixed to the supporting part 53 so as to protrude
downward from the lower end surface of the supporting part 53.
[0095] The guide member 230 is arranged below the flange of the
workpiece W so as to support the nibbler 50 located at the cutting
position. The guide member 230 has a substantially rectangular
sectional shape, and is continuously formed along the moving path
of the nibbler 50 so as to surround the lower die 20. A groove 230a
having a circular arc sectional shape allowing the sphere 53b to be
fit is formed in the upper surface of the guide member 230 along
the moving path of the nibbler 50 continuously. The guide member
230 is formed such that the surface of the groove 230a is in
contact with the surface of the lower part of the sphere 53b in the
nibbler 50 located at the cutting position.
[0096] With such a configuration, the controller 60 controls the
robot 40 to slide the sphere 53b on the surface of the groove 230a
of the guide member 230, so that the workpiece W can be cut with
extremely high accuracy without deviation of the nibbler 50 from
the moving path. In other words, the surface of the groove 230a of
the guide member 230 functions as the first guide surface, the
second guide surface, and the third guide surface according to the
present invention. The sphere 53b can be rotatably mounted on the
supporting part 53.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, a guide member 330 can be provided in
place of the guide member 30.
[0098] The guide member 330 is arranged below the flange of the
workpiece W on a side closer to the removed part Wr of the
workpiece W than the nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. In
other words, the guide member 330 is arranged below the removed
part Wr of the workpiece W. The guide member 330 is configured such
that an upper surface thereof is in contact with the lower surface
of the removed part Wr of the workpiece W. In other words, the
guide member 330 is configured so as to support the removed part Wr
of the workpiece W from below. The guide member 330 is continuously
formed along the moving path of the nibbler 50 so as to surround
the lower die 20. The guide member 330 has a first guide surface
330a and a second guide surface 330b.
[0099] The first guide surface 330a is vertically formed so as to
be in contact with a side surface, on a side close to the removed
part Wr of the workpiece W, of the die body 54 of the nibbler 50
located at the cutting position. The first guide surface 330a is
continuously formed along the moving path of the nibbler 50 so as
to be always in contact with the side surface of the die body 54
when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W.
[0100] The second guide surface 330b is horizontally formed so as
to be in contact with the lower surface of the die body 54 of the
nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. The second guide
surface 330b is continuous to the first guide surface 330a, and
extends from the lower end of the first guide surface 330a toward
the side close to the lower die 20. The second guide surface 330b
is formed so as to be in contact with a part, on the side close to
the removed part Wr of the workpiece W, of the lower surface of the
die body 54 of the nibbler 50 located at the cutting position. The
second guide surface 330b is continuously formed along the moving
path of the nibbler 50 so as to be always in contact with the lower
surface of the die body 54 when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece
W.
[0101] The thus configured guide member 330 guides the nibbler 50
such that the nibbler 50 does not deviate from the moving path when
the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W. In other words, the controller
60 controls the robot 40 to slide the die body 54 on the first
guide surface 330a and the second guide surface 330b of the guide
member 330, so that it is possible to accurately cut the workpiece
W without deviation of the nibbler 50 from the moving path.
[0102] Furthermore, the guide member 330 is configured so as to
support the removed part Wr of the workpiece W, and therefore it is
possible to reduce vertical vibration of the removed part Wr of the
workpiece W when the nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W.
[0103] Accordingly, it is possible to reduce noise generated when
the removed part Wr of the workpiece W collides with the guide
member 330.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 10, a part, in contact with the removed
part Wr of the workpiece W, of the guide member 330 is preferably a
buffer part 330c.
[0105] The buffer part 330c is made of a buffer material, and the
removed part Wr of the workpiece W can reduce impact generated when
colliding with the buffer part 330c.
[0106] Accordingly, the buffer part 330c is provided in the guide
member 330, so that it is possible to further reduce the noise
generated when the removed part Wr of the workpiece W collides with
the guide member 330.
[0107] A guide member different from the guide member 330 is
provided on the side closer to the lower die 20 than the nibbler 50
located at the cutting position, and the die body 54 can be
sandwiched between the above guide member and the guide member
330.
[0108] Consequently, the workpiece W can be cut with extremely high
accuracy.
[0109] In the present embodiment, the nibbler 50 is moved such that
a part of the die (the die body 54, the protrusion 53a, or the
sphere 53b) of the nibbler 50 located at the cutting position
slides on the guide member. However, the nibbler 50 can be moved so
as to form a minute clearance between the die of the nibbler 50,
and the guide member. In other words, positional relation between
the nibbler 50 and the guide member can be maintained when the
nibbler 50 cuts the workpiece W, and the nibbler 50 can abut on the
guide member to restrict movement of the nibbler 50 in a
predetermined direction in a case where the nibbler 50 moves so as
to deviate from the moving path.
[0110] The number of the robots 40 in the cutting apparatus 1 is
not limited, and at least one robot 40 mounted with the nibbler 50
may be provided.
[0111] In a case where two or more robots 40 are provided, at least
one robot 40 should be mounted with the nibbler 50.
[0112] Additionally, an operator can hold the nibbler to cut a
steel sheet along the guide member according to the present
invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0113] The present invention is applicable to a cutting apparatus
and a cutting method for cutting a steel sheet.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0114] 1: cutting apparatus
[0115] 10: support stand
[0116] 20: lower die
[0117] 30: guide member
[0118] 30a: first guide surface
[0119] 30b: second guide surface
[0120] 31: guide member
[0121] 31a: third guide surface
[0122] 40: robot
[0123] 50: nibbler
[0124] 54: die body
[0125] 60: controller
[0126] W: workpiece (steel sheet)
[0127] Wr: removed part
* * * * *